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U.S. Companies Share Best Practices for Line Maintenance with Chinese Electric Utilities

Post date:

11/08/2017 - 12:30pm

Delegates from the China Southern Power Grid (CSD), Mongolia Power, National Energy Administration (NEA) Electricity Safety Department, and Guangzhou Foreign Commercial Service, recently visited the United States to participate in a two-week training program sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). Terex Utilities participated in USTDA’s China Live Power Line Maintenance Reverse Trade Mission by hosting the delegation and sharing U.S. best practices and technologies in live line maintenance. The delegates included 14 China Utility Power group representatives and 3 officials from the NEA in China.

During their visit, participants discussed grid maintenance practices and learned about equipment appropriate for these applications. “We were honored to be part of this visit as they learned about technologies and equipment used for live line maintenance in the United States,” said Michael Tilden, International Sales Manager for Terex Utilities. “Terex has been rooted in the growth and maintenance of this nation’s utility infrastructure since 1945 when we introduced the first digger derrick to the industry. Since then, we continue to listen, respond and deliver innovative, high quality solutions to our customers world-wide.”

Learning Best Practices

The delegates took part in training the first week, observing best practices of distribution pole change out hosted by Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, continuing onto the Southeast Lineman Training Center (SLTC) in Trenton, Ga.

“At SLTC the delegation received training on hot line tools usage, safety processes, and procedures for different live line work applications,” said Tilden. Representatives were able to operate a mix of Terex equipment, including insulated aerial devices and digger derricks, which were used in live line work applications.

Equipment Selection

While visiting Terex, the representatives toured the assembly processes and fiberglass boom manufacturing areas and spent time “hands on” understanding the equipment’s application. “The product demonstrations will help the delegates in selecting equipment and features designed to improve efficiencies in electrical system construction and repairs,” said Tilden.

Tilden added, “Terex is proud to support the China Utility Power groups and to be a key partner in their efforts on improving live line work practices.”

“Rappahannock Electric Cooperative was pleased to have the opportunity to share some of our safe working procedures and best work practices at one of our jobsites as we performed live line work,” said Ricky Hairfield, Director of Operations and Construction and Distribution Design. “The training went very well and everyone was interested in learning the techniques we shared. We were happy to be part of their training during their visit to the U.S.”

“USTDA has found visits like these to be incredibly successful in connecting partner countries with U.S. suppliers like Terex, which can support China’s live line development and safety goals, while creating opportunities for U.S. businesses,” said Carl B. Kress, USTDA Regional Director for East Asia.